Support the Secaucus Animal Shelter while having a great time when Joe Loesner presents live stand-up comedy at the Meadowlands Comedy Club on Aug. 22. Featured will be Gregory Korostiskevsky from the TV series “Orange is the New Black.”

Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m., with raffles and 50-50s all night. The Meadowlands Comedy Club is at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, 40 Wood Ave. Advance ticket sales benefit the Animal Shelter, so call (201) 893-9777 now for tickets or reservations.

Concerts upcoming throughout town

The Secaucus 2014 Summer Concert Series continues on Aug. 21 with an Elvis tribute featuring Jeff Krick. Next up are The Cameos, New Jersey’s favorite oldies group, on Aug. 28. Both shows take place in Buchmuller Park.

Then on Sept. 5 it’s over to the town pool for seven-time Emmy award winner Hunter Hayes. All shows start at 7 p.m.

The Summer Concert Series is co-sponsored by the Secaucus Reporter.

Intro to Microsoft Word and computer programs to be taught at library

Starting next week, the Secaucus Public Library is offering Microsoft Office 2013 classes for Secaucus residents over the age of 18. The first class will be Word 2013 Basics and will start at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21.

According to Technology Librarian Lisa Ferzola, who is teaching the classes, the workshop covers basic word processing skills, including various formatting options. Attendees should have basic computer knowledge and should be comfortable using the mouse and keyboard. The class will be offered twice a month on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon and will run for two months at a time or longer if necessary. Classes are free and open to Secaucus residents and employees of Secaucus-based businesses. As seating in the library’s computer lab is limited, registration is mandatory. Students can sign up online using the calendar of events page on the library’s website, or by phone or email.

Microsoft Excel 2013 and PowerPoint 2013 will be covered later in the year. For a full list of new and ongoing computer classes, visit the library website. For more information, contact Lisa Ferzola at (201) 330-2083 x 4005.

Eat ice cream to support the Secaucus Animal Shelter

There will be an ice cream party for The Secaucus Animal Shelter at Uncle D’s Ice Cream Shop on Sunday, Aug. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m.

All proceeds benefit the Animal Shelter, located at 525 Meadowlands Parkway, phone number (201) 348-3213.

As an extra bonus, Freshpet will be serving frozen yogurt for your dogs, absolutely free. Bring your pets, enjoy yourself, and support a worthy cause.

ICC Feast to include procession with statue of Mary

The Immaculate Conception Church Feast will be held in Buchmuller Park from Thursday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 7. The hours are from 6 to 11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 2 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Bands will perform on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The church’s carnivals in the past have been huge successes with gaming booths, rides, food and fun for all ages, but this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better with the addition of a new procession on the closing day, according to Gary Jeffas, one of the volunteers helping to organize the event.

In celebration of the birth of the Blessed Mother Mary, the patron saint of the church, a procession from the church to Buchmuller Park will begin immediately following the 12 p.m. mass on Sunday, Sept. 7. A statue of Mary will be carried through the streets, followed by members of church organizations and parishioners. The exact route the procession will take has not been determined, but will be announced as soon as plans are finalized.

Volunteers are needed and welcomed to staff the gaming booths, cook the food, and do other chores associated with an event of this size and scope. Volunteers do not have to commit to helping all four days. Anyone interested in donating their time can contact Jeffas at (201) 744-8639 or the church office at (201) 863-4840.

Fire in the Meadowlands interrupts NYC train service

A brush fire in the Meadowlands impacted train service in and out of New York for about an hour on Monday night, Aug. 11.

The fire occurred in the reeds on the border of Secaucus, North Bergen, and Jersey City, west of the intersection of Route 3 and Tonnelle Ave. It started about 6 p.m. NJ Transit suspended service on Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, and Midtown Direct trains in both directions in and out of New York, according to CBS News.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Back to School sale at United Way in August

Save big from now through Aug. 31 at the United Way of Hudson County Resale Store, 79 Metro Way. All kids’ clothing and designated items are $1.

All money raised goes to help the community through United Way’s many programs. A portion of all proceeds also benefits the Secaucus Emergency Fund. Help others, and get some great deals with low prices on housewares, décor, clothing, glassware, sofas, chairs, furniture, pictures, toys, and much more.

Secaucus Animal Shelter benefit event on Aug. 23

All are invited to the Secaucus Animal Shelter benefit event on Saturday, Aug. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at Snipes Park (adjacent to Osprey Cove at 45 Meadowland Parkway). The free event will feature dog and cat adoptions, an arts and crafts table, giveaways, displays by local vendors, free food and beverages provided by Harmon Plaza at Harmon Meadow, and a raffle to win one of six $50 gift cards for the restaurants at The Plaza at Harmon Meadow.

The Secaucus Animal Shelter is also accepting product donations. Needed items include blankets, towels, laundry detergent and treats. There will be a volunteer sign-up as well.

Free parking is available at the parking garage directly across from Osprey Cove. The event is sponsored by Hartz Mountain’s Plaza at Harmon Meadow; Osprey Cove; Roseland, a subsidiary of Mack-Cali; and the Town of Secaucus.

‘Reckless borrowing’ has ravaged NJ transportation, says Prieto

New Jersey’s transportation network is “running on fumes” as a result of flawed borrowing practices, claimed State Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto in a op-ed piece for The Record of Bergen County on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

“New Jersey needs a modern and safe transportation network for its economic survival, but years of foolish borrowing leave our state teetering on the brink of a transportation disaster,” Prieto wrote.

He announced that the Assembly would be hosting hearings over the coming months to address the bankrupt Transportation Trust Fund and how to meet transportation needs.

“The American Society of Civil Engineers notes two-thirds of New Jersey’s roads are in poor or mediocre quality, with 36 percent of the bridges deficient or obsolete,” Prieto stated in the piece.

Among the issues to be addressed are the safety of New Jersey’s bridges, how to improve the roadways, and how mass transit can impact the situation.

Prieto stated a goal of raising about $1.6 billion. A gas tax increase is one option for generating some of the funds, with Prieto insisting that additional bonding should not be considered.

Take a pontoon boat cruise on the Hackensack

Get an up-close view of the Meadowlands district’s spectacular scenic beauty and wildlife with a two-hour guided pontoon boat cruise of the Hackensack River and its surrounding marshes. Experienced New Jersey Meadowlands Commission staff will discuss the region’s human and environmental history and point out birds and other wildlife along the way.

Cruises take place on Aug. 19, 21 and 27 at 5:30 p.m., and on Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. Cost is $15 per person for ages 10 and up. Departs from River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Lane, Carlstadt. Pre-registration required. For a complete schedule of trips, directions, and to register, visit www.njmeadowlands.gov and go to the Parks & Nature Programs tab at the top of the page, or call (201) 460-4677.

Senior citizen boat cruise on Aug. 20

Once again the Hudson County Office on Aging and the Town of Secaucus invite Secaucus senior citizens, 62 and older, to a luncheon cruise on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Call (201) 865-4422 for information and reservations.

Third Tuesday of the month bird walk on Aug. 19

Check out the shore birds on this two-hour Harrier Meadow summer bird walk in North Arlington. Walk around the 70-acre natural area, which is normally closed to the public, and look for herons, egrets, shorebirds, ospreys, and other raptors. The walk starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at Harrier Meadow, on Disposal Road near Schuyler Avenue. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for events throughout the year. To RSVP, call (201) 230-4983.